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I spend a lot of time on the internet searching for the latest Disney Character news so that I can bring it to the blog and provide the best most centralised source of all Character information across the web. In my searching I quite often come across a lot of negative comments from people who have had Character experiences at Disneyland Paris.
I usually try to stay neutral to people’s negativity about things, as everyone has different experiences at different times, but sometimes I cannot let something just go by unchecked. And this is one of those times. More and more frequently I am seeing people “Paris-bashing”. I really don’t like to make negative blog posts, so I am hoping to make this into a more positive one with my response to this problem!
I think a lot of the problem lies with the language barrier. The performers, Cast and Characters do try their hardest, but it is not always possible for them to be able to speak all 23 official languages of the European Union. So when it comes to meeting a character, just try to be patient with them as they try to understand what it is you are trying to say. Try not to get frustrated with them, but instead just give them a hug and pose for your picture. Saying hello in French, or even stretching as far as asking how they are wouldn’t go amiss I am sure. For those of you who really do not know, bonjour is the standard greeting in France. It is used just like hello, but literally translated means good day. To ask how someone is you would say “comment ca va?” which is said something like “common sa va?”.
I just want to show you some pictures from some of the great Character experiences Jon and I have had over the last two years at Disneyland Paris, just to prove to you that it is more the normal than not. Most of these pictures are not even of us with the Characters – they are just random things we have managed to see them doing – something which if some internet forums were to be believed apparently do not happen…
The Characters are always willing to give you a hug or sign your books:
Even some of the rarest Characters are always ready and willing to pose for the cameras:
The next three shots are group shots – something which the US Parks never allow:
Even the Villains like to get in on the fun, and like to scare people leaving Phantom Manor:
Characters love to dance, and here you can see Peter and Wendy dancing around Fantasyland, and some other Disney pals arriving in Fantasyland doing the conga!
Gideon tries to buy some popcorn…
And those mischievous twins Chip and Dale like to have fun in Paris just as much as anywhere else, too:
The Queen of Hearts keeps the Tweedles in line by chasing them around City Hall trying to whack them...
Even the Villains don't always get along with each other, and here Smee and Frollo have an all out war in Café Mickey, which led to Frollo and Smee being soaked and on the floor...
Again, at Café Mickey, and this time the Sheriff of Nottingham tries to pay Prince John back for not having collected any taxes, by trying to what can best be described as "valet" him!
Whilst elsewhere in Café Mickey, Goofy tries some table dancing...
Governor Ratcliffe takes a seat to dine with a French family, but is dissatisfied with the food, so he asks Shan Yu for his opinion...
Finally, I'll leave you with these images of Peter Pan playing tricks on Smee in Adventureland:
So here’s to Disneyland Paris’s FANTASTIC Characters and performers who make the magic happen every single day - we thank you all very much, regardless of other negative forums and blogs.
Dan. |